Category: Blog

Are your international movers trustworthy?

International movers often handle large jobs, and when using the wrong service, it’s easy to see why you might lose track of your goods in the moving process. Some companies subcontract to the lowest-priced service providers in foreign locations. This can lead to damaged, lost, or delayed shipments resulting in large fines for moving items incorrectly across country borders.

Good Movers Know the Laws on Importing

Subcontracting services is the way to go, sometimes. Contacts within a country can be the best source for navigating through moving rules and regulations. Problems arise when your international movers disregard the law and get caught in the process. Unfortunately, you are the one who will often wind up facing the penalties.

Good Movers Have a System

International moves can get very complicated rather quickly, so trust companies when they present plans you think might be too overboard, as they are likely planning for any eventuality. Deadlines and schedules can make or break a move, so by following their advice during the planning and prep stages, you will come out ahead.

The International Moving Process

Once your items are packed and hauled off, they’re typically moved into heavy-duty shipment containers at shipyards, and then loaded onto boats. It’s during this stage when accidents often occur and property gets damaged. Why? It’s because cranes are hard to navigate delicately, and complex machinery is being used to move your belongings around.

When the boat lands near your new destination, the contents may be taken into state custody for observation. Government agents can go through shipments looking for contraband of all sorts. If banned items are found in your shipment, you could face fines, interrogation, or worse. This is also the stage where you may have to pay to bring certain things into the country, which can wind up costing a pretty penny. Make sure you work with movers who can give you an idea of what these payments will run in advance.

When your property finally arrives at your destination, expect the company to bring it to your new home. During unloading and unpacking, you’ll have a chance to review your property, checking for problems. This will generally be compared to a master list to ensure that none of your property is missing.

International movers have a huge job to do, and only a few do it right. Call Nilson Van and schedule the job immediately. They have the experience and reputation you’ll find easy to trust.

Can you trust an online moving calculator to give accurate estimates?

You can find dozens of different moving calculators online to help estimate the cost of your in-state move. These can be found on professional moving websites, general consumer sites or, not surprisingly, on websites where moving supplies are found. The real question lies in which estimate can you trust, it could be hard to tell. The majority of these calculators don’t provide any useful advice. They’re simply an interactive form of advertising.

Accurate Moving Estimates Require a Closer Look

The only truly accurate moving calculator is an experienced moving professional who is able to judge the situation firsthand with an eye on your situation and household goods. These experts know how to efficiently stack furniture and belongings, and they know the types of containers they’ll need. More importantly, movers with experience can often eyeball a load and accurately estimate the amount of time it will take to complete a full job. As most jobs charge a per hour fee, knowing how long it will take to move is especially handy.

Comparing Online Moving Calculators

It’s easy to check the accuracy of an online moving calculator by visiting more than one site. Visit five or ten, but be prepared for five or ten different results. Understand also that this method has no real bearing on what your particular moving expenses will be. A large, overstuffed couch takes more time to move than a minimalist style couch. A waterbed takes longer to break down than a typical queen frame. It’s these kinds of differences that make online or moving estimates over the phone so difficult to get right.

Contact Nilson Van to request a free estimate. You’ll be shocked by how much the process differs from any moving calculator online. Afterall, it’s an estimate you can act on and trust.

How much is too much to ask of furniture moving companies?

Furniture moving companies are paid to pack, load, and haul your goods, but this can leave many homeowners uncomfortable. Standing around watching strangers strain their backs to lift your furniture can leave you feeling guilty for looking like a lazy taskmaster of sorts. The key to escaping this effect isn’t by leaving the house. It’s learning how much prep work you’re really expected to do before they show up so they can do exactly what they’re supposed to do without delay.

Focus on a few simple ways you can ready your property for a move and make your movers feel appreciated.

• Place similar items together. You might have hired a company to pack and transport each room of your house separately, but there are still random items that could go anywhere (and often do). Miscellaneous items should all be placed together. The same goes for garden tools, holiday supplies, and numerous other mixed item groups.
• Pick up around the house. Believe it or not, some people expect furniture moving companies to work around their mess. This seriously delays and interrupts the packing process. It also increases your chances that your garbage will be packed along with your goods. Avoid paying to ship candy wrappers across state lines. Do your best to contain your mess before movers arrive.
• Provide refreshments. Surely you want movers in and out of your home as quickly as possible, but they are still guests in your home. If a day is especially hot and humid, or cold and clammy, provide appropriate refreshments for your moving team. This could include chilled bottles of water, coffee, and crackers or other light snacks. Also provide a clearly labeled receptacle for collecting related trash.

Hiring someone to move your furniture can be awkward, but it’s important to respect the boundaries of their jobs. Getting involved generally creates more problems than it’s worth and can lead to improperly packed items.

Call 800-845-2682 to schedule a date with one of the best furniture moving companies in your area.

You really can have too many cardboard boxes.

Cardboard boxes are usually the go-to supply during a move, but how many do you really need? Having too many boxes will become a money waste. A surplus of boxes will also get in your way and be an inconvenience. Buying too few, on the other hand, could result in items not being packed on schedule or having to rely on worn out boxes that you can’t trust to keep your property safe.

Your Movers Can Help

Professional movers often provide boxes for your family. They would chip away at their profits if they weren’t skilled at estimating how many boxes you’ll need for your move. They want you to have just enough for your move, and no more or less. If you’re buying your own materials, call your movers and ask for their opinion.

Use an Online Estimator

There are various sites online where you can enter information about your home and receive a supply list. Depending on the site, you may be encouraged to buy a number of expensive products in the process, however. It is always best to exercise your best judgment and avoid wasting money on unneeded products. Most individuals won’t have much use for 12 dish-specific containers, but an aspiring chef might need twice that amount.

Go With a Rough Estimate

Typically, you’ll find you need 8-12 boxes per room, depending on how much you’re moving, as well as your property’s weight and size. It’s important to get enough boxes so that none are overfilled. Packing too many items in one box leads to damage, as they become too squashed together and heavy to lift. Likewise, items like dishes and musical instruments may require special containers to keep safe through the move.

Get a free quote on your next move, on everything from the lifting and shifting to special moving tools and cardboard boxes.

Leave the following valuables to professional packing companies, and save your back and your wallet.

There are certain items you should leave to packing companies to secure during your next move. Overly delicate or bulky, hard-to-pack items will quickly become the worst part of your move if you let them. Find a way to not deal with items like that and you won’t end up cranky or unhappy at your move’s end.

If you hire professionals to complete the move, all your items will be carefully packed and shipped, leaving you without the headache. The move will be over before you know it.

1. Mirrors

Leave mirrors of all kinds to packing companies to preserve. Professional movers have special knowledge of methods and techniques to help keep these items safe during even the bumpiest rides. If one does happen to break, your mover’s insurance will cover the loss.

2. Plates

Most homeowners pad their plates with tissue paper or newsprint, but movers have special shipping containers for glassware and fine china. Their containers cushion each piece and allow for shifting. To purchase or rent such containers yourself would probably cost you more than just hiring the whole job out.

3. Incidentals

Sometimes it’s best to call in the pros when you aren’t sure how to pack an item. It may turn out that you need to make special arrangements, as sometimes moving companies are legally can’t carry certain items. Moving companies can supply you with a list of prohibited items if you are packing on your own, or just have them do the packing and save the headache.

Visit one of the top packing companies in your area for a free quote today.

Why do office movers get the job done more efficiently in less time?

Office movers have special skills, and if your business is changing locations, you’ll need to make the most of them. They can move your equipment, files, and even your furnishings in record time, allowing you to get up and running without any hiccups. Stay focused on bringing in revenue, and leave the heavy lifting to the pros through hiring an experienced commercial moving company.

Here are three ways you can make the most of the moving expense:

1. Ask the company for a moving schedule.

Changing offices is nothing like changing residences. There are potential hang-ups at every step in the process: securing your lease, inspections, having alterations completed, turning on utilities, and getting your internet and phone lines up and running. Meanwhile, other incidental tasks take up your time. Professional office movers have the experience to know when each step should be handled to prevent moving problems.

2. Hire a company who will pack and ship your items.

You think your office staff is competent because they do their jobs well, but if you hand them the responsibility of packing up your business, your opinion of them could change very quickly. They don’t have the experience to know how to best protect your items. Don’t burden them with unreasonably high expectations and end up with a sub-par job. Pass the packing onto a company who has done it right time and again.

Ensure they’re insured.

Don’t waste your time on amateur movers who could disappear with your goods, or those who will just walk away if an accident occurs. Make sure you’re dealing with real professionals who carry moving insurance. Accidents happen, and you want to make sure any lost and broken business equipment, files, or other resources get replaced or repaired as soon as possible. It’s important to your business and it should be important to your movers.

Expanding your business often means changing locale. Do smart business by delegating the job to the right people.

Get a fair and free quote from the area’s best office movers, Nilson Van.

When you’re ready for adult moves, hire a full service.

There comes a time in every adult’s life when the promise of free pizza and drinks just isn’t enough to get a group of strong friends to help you move for free. When you get too old to rely on volunteers to move, don’t just grit your teeth and do it yourself. Hire professional movers the next time you buy or rent a new home, and see how simple moves can be. Here are three important benefits you’ll get from hiring the job out:

1. Avoid Injury

Moving is a dangerous job. You may think that the worst injuries are the aches and pain of sore muscles after a long day of carting boxes around, but people get injured all the time while moving. When you hire professionals who have the strength to handle your possessions and the tools to help them out, too, you’re protecting yourself from the serious injury of falling or trying to carry something too heavy yourself.

2. Save Money

This sounds counterintuitive, but think of all the incidental expenses that come with a DIY move: renting the truck, renting the equipment, paying for gas for multiple runs, feeding everyone pizza. Whether you’re moving across the country or down the block, you’ll end up saving money with a full-service mover. You won’t have to worry about any extra fees, either. They’ll handle all the boxes, furniture pads, and special containers needed to get from one point to the other. Leaving you just to handle all the extra money they’ll save you.

3. Protect Your Belongings

Professional moving companies are essential to protecting your valuables, no matter what. Besides years of training and experience, the best companies available are also insured. No matter what happens during shipment, any damage to your items will be covered. In comparison, if you move yourself and your TV falls off the truck, most insurance plans won’t consider compensating you for the damage. With the insurance from a professional mover, you won’t be stuck with a broken TV.

Just because you could get some friends to help you move a few years ago doesn’t mean you have to stick to that model as you get older. Professional companies will perform every task you need from packing the kitchen to unpacking at your new home. Don’t waste any time getting started on the next chapter in your book of life.

Call 800-845-2682 to get a free quote for a qualified full service mover.